Fluff of Disney

Croaker · Post by **Croaker** » May Thu 29, 2008 11:05 am

What fluff have you noticed in Disney? Fluff by my standards are anything that is added to detract from the main rides and events of the park. These "detractions" are subtle and sometimes very entertaining but overall they just seem to be attention grabbers to slow the pace down. My use of the word "Detraction" may be harsh perhaps i should say added flair, or additional entertainment. like the Muppets in Epcot with the Doctor and Beaker, or the Chinese Acrobats and yo-yo tosser-people in China Pavillion.

anyone have a favorite or one that they find annoying?

The addition of Jack Sparrow skit outside of Pirates is very fun for all ages...when i was there without my kids i watched just to see the interaction with the kids and Jack. I have a short Video of one that i swear the guy is Johnny Depp..its by far the best one i've seen so far. (how do i post a video?)

SWHorn · Post by **SWHorn** » May Thu 29, 2008 11:51 am

I don't ever really stop for the fluff, unless I happen to be resting somewhere and it starts. The only thing I find annoying about fluff sometimes is how the crowd builds and people block all of the walkways.

The only time recently that I did stop was in France for those guys that stack the chairs real high and climb on them. I enjoyed that.

bbowen13 · Post by **bbowen13** » May Thu 29, 2008 12:28 pm

I always enjoyed the Kristos in EPCOT(wish they would bring them back). The living statues that come out at one of the countries in EPCOT (I can't think of which country). I usually just walk on by but sometimes it's just a good break.

Cazza and Livvie's Mum · Post by **Cazza and Livvie's Mum** » May Thu 29, 2008 1:22 pm

My favourite bit of 'fluff' is the Streetmosphere at the Studios, they are so funny we always stop by when the antics begin. I adore Gus Goobleman and his crew! The last time we watched these guys we were sprayed with water, yelled at, but still couldn't stop lauging!

Captain Schnemo · Post by **Captain Schnemo** » May Thu 29, 2008 4:22 pm

I saw your original post where you referred to Innoventions as fluff, and I think that's a fair word for that kind of thing...something that looks like an attraction, but is actually just an advertisement, and doesn't really add to your enjoyment of the parks.

The entertainment in World Showcase, however, is well-themed and, in my opinion, adds a lot to the parks. The Moroccan acrobats (are they still there?) were absolutely amazing and added life to a section of the park that could use it. The French statue guy, the Chinese acrobats, the Japanese drummers...all these things are really cool and worth spending the time to watch.

I would hate to discourage Disney from "plussing" at this point, whether it's a safari interpreter who can tell you about the animals you're looking at or the barbershop quartet. Disney parks are made up of all different kinds of entertainment, and everyone isn't going to like everything (I personally cannot stand most of the musicals), but I wouldn't say those things are fluff.

LAPVLB · Post by **LAPVLB** » May Thu 29, 2008 5:51 pm

Cazza and Livvie's Mum wrote:My favourite bit of 'fluff' is the Streetmosphere at the Studios, they are so funny we always stop by when the antics begin. I adore Gus Goobleman and his crew! The last time we watched these guys we were sprayed with water, yelled at, but still couldn't stop lauging!

I love the Streetmosphere performers. I've been involved in 3 of the skits, and they are SO crazy. These people are such good actors, and I'm floored by how well they bring Hollywood to DHS. That's one bit of fluff I always look out for.

And PUSH in Tomorrowland

Cheshire Cat · Post by **Cheshire Cat** » May Thu 29, 2008 6:09 pm

Any of the singers, performers or citizens on Main Street really add to the illusion that it's a real time period in America.

I think performers in any area are important. Without the "human element" all you have is themed space. It takes people to really create a convincing atmosphere, because it's people that we're used to seeing everyday.

Sleeping Beauty 5 · Post by **Sleeping Beauty 5** » May Thu 29, 2008 7:24 pm

SWHorn wrote:The only time recently that I did stop was in France for those guys that stack the chairs real high and climb on them. I enjoyed that.

Yea, those dudes in France are really the only fluff that I stop for too. From my past experience, the rest of the fluff isn't worth stopping for especially since I could be on an attraction a few minutes earlier because of all the other people watching the fluff.

HakuOni · Post by **HakuOni** » May Thu 29, 2008 8:19 pm

i dont know what fluff is but by reading the posts i can understand. i believe that the singers that are seen around the park are very distracting and the clothes that they wear are very attention getting making it hard not to listen to the music.

boilerbabe · Post by **boilerbabe** » May Thu 29, 2008 8:35 pm

My husband and I sometimes enjoy stopping and watching the "fluff", we enjoy the performers at Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, in Italy they have a person that looks like a statue, it's fun to slow down and take this stuff in. It makes us feel like we're on vacation.

Captain Schnemo · Post by **Captain Schnemo** » May Thu 29, 2008 9:09 pm

I'd make a special effort to see my favorite performers in World Showcase (while walking straight past a bunch of the permanent stuff), so I wouldn't make a qualitative distinction between these guys and a classic "attraction". The African drummers and the Stilt Birds were two fantastic shows I'd rather experience than Test Track or Ellen's Energy Drain.

I was thinking a bit more about your original definition of fluff, and I'd have to say that the character greeting areas fall into that category. Originally, the characters were a "plus", like the Epcot performers. Whether you just happened upon them or purposely sought them out, they clearly added to the more static elements of the park.

Once you build an area specifically for the purpose of meeting characters, all the "plus-ness" is gone and what you've got is something taking up a bunch of space that could be used by a "real" attraction. It's also obvious padding designed to fluff up the list of things to see in an area on the map.

That's why, to me, the WDW Fantasmic! is not nearly as cool as the DL version, even if you might be guaranteed a better view or some of the visuals might have been optimized. It's a more interesting and creative use of space in DL.

skull · Post by **skull** » May Fri 30, 2008 6:32 am

jamitors are awesome! I'll stop everytime I see them to watch the show

Calypso · Post by **Calypso** » May Fri 30, 2008 7:15 am

I think what you are calling "fluff" is really Disney's way of showing attention to detail and to entertain people on a variety of levels. Everything, in theory, furthers the entertainment and enjoyment of the parks. I want to see the attractions, but I also want to exeperience the "fluff." This past trip, I made sure our group saw Cap'n Jack and my youngest DD was picked for the pirate tutorial. Sure, PoC was great, but her interaction with Jack was priceless. It was a highlight of her trip and a memory we will all cherish. I think that's what Disney is about.

Call it fluff, but I call it the Disney experience.

luv2cthemouse · Post by **luv2cthemouse** » May Fri 30, 2008 9:29 am

There is a lot of Disney "fluff" and it is everywhere. I personally think it adds to the experience and helps to stop the bottlenecking in WDW.

Street performers in MK, DS and AK, DeVine in AK, Innoventions, The Cool Station in EPCOT, Shops all the way up Main Street in MK, The pin kiosk under the hat in DS....just to name a few

I agree with Calypso. I totally disagree that it does not add to the Disney experience. If Disney uses it as a deterrant to the rides then good on them, that is smart.

Jacca5660 · Post by **Jacca5660** » May Fri 30, 2008 1:36 pm

I think of FLUFF as all of merchandising at the end of the rides. It seems there are some rides (new rides mostly) that are just there to sell you something.
Also the fluff rides. The rides and shows where the only purpose are to market a movie or show. I'm waiting for Zack and Cody's Tower of Terror and Hanna's Rock and Roller Coast.